Editorial Staff — Christmas is a time for celebrations, for recognizing the birth of Jesus and for gathering friends and family to share in the joys of being together. Yet many people have found themselves isolated, alone or dealing with tragedies of illness or economic travail during the holidays. So how does one find peace at Christmas during these times.Finding peace at Christmas is a soul-filled journey, one that takes introspection that can cause both joy and pain. For many people it is a time when good and bad memories surface, bringing sorrow, depression, anger and rejection. The expectations we have for Christmas set by childhood memories or media hype can make us feel that if we don't have the outward trappings of Christmas we are different, not as good, unloved.
But Christmas is more than an occasion of the family tree and gifts, of Santa and a nativity scene at the local church. It is a holy day to honor the birth of a man born into poverty, who struggled against prejudices and hatreds to bring a message of peace to the world. In His life and suffering He reminded everyone that to do good and to walk a righteous path might involve sacrifice and rejection. And He was often personally alone in His life journey.
The message of Christmas is to live in truth, in kindness and in love and to know that peace resides within and is not dependent upon the ephemeral and changing world that separates one person from another. It is a message that reminds us that certitude and trust are the surest path to peace.
Merry Christmas from the writers and staff of Green Heritage News Network and may you find your personal path of peace in your own life journey today and in all the years to come.
